carmel vs. monterey california
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
carmel vs. monterey california
Will be staying in SF for a few days and have a weekend to drive south to the carmel area.
We wanted to know if it would be best to drive to carmel, stay there and do a day trip to monterey or visa versa?
which area has more stuff to see/do?
we want to keep it low key. nice dinners looking at the ocean, stroll the shops/galleries and enjoy the area. we are walkers so we want to be able to go places by foot.
also, any good recommendations for bed and breakfast inns uner 300.00 per night in either area?
Thanks!
We wanted to know if it would be best to drive to carmel, stay there and do a day trip to monterey or visa versa?
which area has more stuff to see/do?
we want to keep it low key. nice dinners looking at the ocean, stroll the shops/galleries and enjoy the area. we are walkers so we want to be able to go places by foot.
also, any good recommendations for bed and breakfast inns uner 300.00 per night in either area?
Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,423
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carmel is much more interesting than Monterey - and Pacific Grove is also more interesting than Monterey, IMO. I don't recall any ocean view restaurants in Carmel. There might be some on Cannery Row or the Wharf in Monterey, but I think Cannery Row & the Wharf are pretty tacky (rivals Fisherman's Wharf in SF). Pacific Grove/Spanish Bay has some restaurants with views, I believe.
In the last 45 years, we've spent most of our time in Carmel.
Stu Dudley
In the last 45 years, we've spent most of our time in Carmel.
Stu Dudley
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that they're so close it can't be considered a day trip. I prefer Carmel as a walking around town. The only restaurant I can think of off hand that has an ocean view is the one at the Mission Ranch.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, it's not a day trip from one to the other, but Carmel would probably be where I would choose to stay, mainly because it's so walkable.
Ocean view restaurants were discussed n another thread here, and with a few exceptions those don't tend to be the best. I'll find the link and post it.
Ocean view restaurants were discussed n another thread here, and with a few exceptions those don't tend to be the best. I'll find the link and post it.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, they are the same area, so you can easily stay in one and visit the other. Pacific Grove is my favorite town on the Monterey Peninsula and there are some B&Bs that overlook the ocean.
Carmel is nice, but it is decidedly upscale and uber-quaint, which is not my style, so I don't enjoy it as much as PG and Monterey. If you are interested in shops and galleries though, then it might be a good fit for you.
Carmel is nice, but it is decidedly upscale and uber-quaint, which is not my style, so I don't enjoy it as much as PG and Monterey. If you are interested in shops and galleries though, then it might be a good fit for you.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are actually a number of hotels/motels in Carmel that have ocean views, including the Sea View Inn, the Lamplighter (I've stayed there, and there are sea views from the top floor), and the Horizon Inn (stayed there also).
For really great views, have a look at the Tickle Pink Inn.
For really great views, have a look at the Tickle Pink Inn.